Fears for Birmingham transport museum as council cuts funding

Mar 31 2009 By Edward Chadwick

The future of a popular museum housing Birmingham’s historic collection of bygone buses and trams has been cast in to doubt after city leaders axed funding.

Volunteers who run Aston Manor Road Transport Museum are reeling after being told that the council was no longer prepared to pay its rent for the listed building which is home to priceless vintage vehicles.

They say they have been left in the dark for months despite trying to arrange meetings with bosses and are concerned that no agreement is in place just days before their current deal expires today.

It is feared that one of the region’s most important collections of trams, vans, buses and cars – some dating back more than 100 years – could be split up and fall in to disrepair.

Museum vice-chairman Rob Handford said part of the city’s heritage was under threat.

“We’re concerned that we have reached this stage with the council without a solution in sight,” he said. “It’s very worrying that we could have a collection of this size without a home.

“If the council turned round to us and said that we would have to find all the rent ourselves, we would have to disband the collection and vacate the building.

“We do raise revenue through admission and events but that goes to rates and utilities mainly as well as some of our more important restorations.

“It’s a Grade II-listed building and we have spent a lot of money keeping it in good shape so it would be devastating if all the effort was for nothing.”

Birmingham City Council owns the museum’s home and charges £43,000 in rent, which is paid by the council’s museums department.

Mr Handford said the museum’s trust was baffled at the announcement because the cash never left council coffers.

“There would be absolutely no cost to the council that I can see if the rent was waived,” added Mr Handford.

“We are looking at other options and we hope it doesn’t come down to the council having to choose between money and an important museum.”

The former Witton Tram Depot building, dating from 1882, was taken over by enthusiasts in 1986.

It was opened in 1992 and houses about 35 vehicles, many of which saw service on the streets of Birmingham.

A council spokesman said: “There will be some changes to the existing funding arrangements but we are not in a position to say what they are yet.

“A report is being prepared which will make proposals to the appropriate cabinet member.”